The Korean placement test is designed to evaluate students’ Korean language proficiency in order to:

1. Place them in suitable courses 
2. Determine if they are eligible for a language requirement exemption 

Please read the following Q & A carefully before taking the test.

Q1. I want to take a Korean class at Penn and have previous experience with the Korean language. What should I do?

• Take the Korean placement test to find out the most suitable class that fits your needs.
• Prior experiences may include:
  • I have been exposed to Korean informally at home
  • I have attended a Saturday Korean language school
  • I have stayed in Korea for more than six months
  • I have taken Korean classes in high school or college
  • I have self-studied Korean and learned how to read and write.

Q2. What classes are available for those who have previous experience with Korean?

• If you can speak Korean to some degree and want to refine your speaking, reading, and writing skills, you may sign up for KORN 0220 (Korean for Heritage Speakers I) and take the test later to confirm your level.
• If you are placed into KORN 0420 (Korean for Heritage Speakers II), KORN 0500 (High Intermediate Korean I) or other upper-level courses, drop KORN 0220 and register for the class that you are placed into. Please note that KORN 0420 is offered during the spring semester only.

Q3. I want to take a Korean class at Penn, but I do not have much previous experience with the Korean language. Do I need to take the placement test?

• No, you do not need to take the Korean placement test. You can sign up for one of the courses for novice learners.
• We recommend you to take the test in the semester you plan to take a Korean language course.

Q4. What classes are available for novice learners?

• You may register for KORN 0100 (Beginning Korean I), which will count toward the language requirement (4 semesters of language study from the beginning level) or major/minor requirement.
• If you want to focus on Korean conversational skills, you may register for KORN 0103 (1st Year Spoken Korean I). Note that this course does not count toward the language requirement or major/minor requirement.

Q5. I want to be exempt from the foreign language requirement with Korean. What should I do?

• You need to take the Korean placement Test. It is offered ONCE A YEAR in late August during the New Student Orientation period.

Q6. Can I use my SAT Subject Test or other Korean language test scores to get exempt from the language requirement?

• As the SAT subject score does not evaluate your production skills, we DO NOT ACCEPT any other Korean language test scores (i.e. TOPIK or SAT Subject Test) as proof of language proficiency. However, if your SAT Subject score is over 700, you have the option to take the writing and speaking tests only.  You need to send the proof of your score to Ms. Haewon Cho at haewcho@sas.upenn.edu.

Q7: What is the format of the placement test and how can I prepare for the test?

• The Test consists of three parts: A multiple-choice test (vocabulary, grammar, and reading) on Qualtrics, an oral interview on Zoom or in person, and a writing test in person.
• The test is designed to evaluate your language proficiency, so you do not need to prepare for the test. Thus, an example test is not provided.

Q8. Should I sign up to take the placement test? 

• No. The test details, including the test link, will be available on the Test Guidelines page of the KLP website in August.
• Please see the Test Guidelines for important dates and detailed sign-up procedures.

Q9. I graduated from a high school, can I be exempt from the language requirement?  

• Effective August 2021: You need to take the placement Test to prove your language proficiency.

Q10. I passed the Korean placement test. What should I do?

• Your test result will be sent to the College. Please allow 4-8 weeks to process.
• Check Penn In Touch to see if your language requirement has been cleared. If not, contact the program director (haewcho@sas.upenn.edu).

Q11. Can I take Korean classes after passing the Korean placement Test?

• Yes, we normally recommend classes suitable for your level along with the test result.
• Please check the course listings and register for the class that is recommended to you. Send an email to the instructor if you have any questions about the course.

Q12. I did not pass the placement Test. May I take it again?

• No, you cannot take the placement test more than once. Please consider taking the recommended Korean classes to fulfill the language requirement.

Q13. If I have more questions, whom should I contact?

• • Please contact Ms. Haewon Cho, the Program Director, at haewcho@sas.upenn.edu.